Comments

• 

  David Boulanger January 20, 2015 at 2:31pm

  Tom,

  FYI.  When I had my APM 2.5 mounted on my helicopter it was about 6" from the Motor.  Although I never drew more than 60 amps on my 6 cell battery I never saw an issue with the onboard compass.

  Regards,

  David R. Boulanger
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III January 20, 2015 at 12:44pm

  Hi David

  Thanks for the encouragement, much appreciated.

  I will probably use this hull as a prototype for both propulsion and navigation hardware installation. From what I have learned during the construction of this hull and conversations with the designer/supplier, Joe Petro, I feel that once I have this hull successfully in operation I will consider purchasing a second hull to build and put in operation.

  My biggest concern now is the effect of the brushless motor's large magnetic field on the GPS/Compass as about the only place to mount the GPS/Compass is in the aft compartment and not over the motor compartment. Also, as far as I know, this is the first time that a brushless motor has been installed in this hull so I am in uncharted territory at this time.

  Regards,

  Tom C AVD
• 

  David Boulanger January 20, 2015 at 12:26pm

  It's all coming along very nice after the few setbacks you had.

  Regards,

  David R. Boulanger
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III January 20, 2015 at 12:02pm

  Hi All,

  Here are a couple of pictures showing the inside of the VBox hull and the deck sheeting temporarily clamped in place to show the two openings in the deck.

   Inside of Hull Looking from Transom to Bow

  Top of Hull with Deck Sheeting temporarily in place

  Side View of Deck Sheeting

  The compartment/opening closest to the transom is where the radio and steering servo are housed in their own wooden box (radio box). There is a water resistance cover on the top of the radio box. The opening in the deck where the radio box is housed has its own deck cover that will be added when the deck sheeting is attached to the hull.

   The larger opening towards the bow is where the gas engine can be accessed for maintenance. This opening has no cover like the radio box compartment. I plan to build a low profile cabin to fit in this opening over the brushless motor and ESC/Batteries. The cabin will house the navigation controller and associated components. The navigation controller will be powered by its own battery since the brushless propulsion motor can take up to 120 amps peak current which is beyond the capability of the 3DR Power Module.

  Since I am getting ready to install the brushless motor, rudder, other propulsion hardware, and the navigation controller I will start a VBox autonomous boat project thread in the ArduBoat Discussion Forum to continue and complete this project.

  Regards,

  Tom C AVD

  

  https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3701916990?profile=original
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III January 19, 2015 at 6:01pm

  Hi All,

  I have finished repairing and smoothing out the hull on my VBox autonomous boat and am reasonably satisfied with the hull symmetry and shape. Therefore I plan to go ahead and order the propulsion, rudder, and trim hardware this week.

  The guys at OSE Link have told me that they will be getting in a motor mount for 56mm dia brushless motors that will fit the 5" rail width in the VBox hull. It is essentially used for converting a gas engine 5" rail motor mount to electric propulsion.

  Regards,

  Tom C AVD 
• 

  Gonzalo Garat January 13, 2015 at 4:13pm

  thanks a lot!
• Developer

  Craig Elder January 13, 2015 at 3:41pm

  @Gonzalo Yes it works great.  Also see http://diydrones.com/group/ardublimp
• 

  Gonzalo Garat January 13, 2015 at 2:20pm

  Has anyone tried using the arduboat on a blimp? I'm pretty sure that it would work magnificently with little to no wind.
• Admin

  Thomas J Coyle III January 12, 2015 at 4:58am

  Hi Grant,

  Yes, it is 46 in long and has a 17 in beam. I do not think that anyone has run this hull with electric propulsion as it is very expensive due to the need to use 6S high capacity LiPos to power the brushless motor. However there is plenty of room in the hull for batteries. This hull will run well over autonomous race courses that are held in small marinas and freshwater reservoirs where significant choppy water can be encountered.

  As far as the running gear goes, the only change will be to the way that the brushless electric motor will be mounted in the hull compared to the gas engine. The gas engine mount is attached to the parallel engine rails that run from the third bulkhead to the transom bulkhead. The brushless motor mount will probably be mounted on a pad between the gas engine rails.  

  I plan to build a covered cockpit, over the open area where the gas motor is normally mounted, to house the navigation controller.

  Regards,

  Tom C AVD

   
• Developer

  Grant Morphett January 11, 2015 at 6:38pm

  That is a big boat Tom.  It is looking awesome!  Can't wait to see how you mount the running gear on the inside.

  Thanks, Grant.